Photo Flash: Schoolhouse Theatre's BROWNSVILLE BRED

59E59 Theaters (Elysabeth Kleinhans, Artistic Director; Peter Tear, Executive Producer) welcomes The Schoolhouse Theater with BROWNSVILLE BRED, written and performed by Elaine Del Valle and directed by Pamela Moller Kareman. BROWNSVILLE BRED begins performances on Thursday, July 14 for a limited engagement through Sunday, July 31. Press opening is Sunday, July 17 at 3:15 PM. The performance schedule is Tuesday - Thursday at 7:15 PM; Friday - Saturday at 8:15 PM; and Sunday at 3:15 PM. There is an added performance on Saturday, July 16 at 2:15 PM. Performances are at 59E59 Theaters, 59 East 59th Street, between Park and Madison Avenues. Tickets are $35 ($24.50 for 59E59 Members). To purchase tickets, call Ticket Central at (212) 279-4200 or visit www.59e59.org.

BROWNSVILLE BRED is the spirited tale of a young Nuyorican girl growing up in the 1980s in one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in NYC. Elaine Del Valle leads the audience on a hilarious and harrowing journey through poverty, crime and drug addiction, emerging through hope, family and a good dose of salsa.

Beginning at the Langston Hughes Projects and chronicling her journey out oF Brownsville, Elaine Del Valle's story is at once frightening, exhilarating and ultimately triumphant.

Developed with Wynn Handman (founder and Artistic Director of The American Place Theatre) and the Nuyorican Poets Cafe, BROWNSVILLE BRED was part of the One Act Festival in NYC and subsequently played in Los Angeles. This new and expanded version comes to 59E59 after a successful run at The Schoolhouse Theater in Westchester, where it was called " captivating, compelling and charming" by The Journal News.

Elaine Del Valle (playwright/performer) developed her multiple award winning solo show while studying with the legendary Wynn Handman. She was named an "Inspiring Artist" by the SOULFRITO Arts Foundation, can be seen in the upcoming pilot, Rookies (CBS), and heard in her 11th season on Nickelodeon's hit series, Dora the Explorer. In 1998, Elaine founded Del Valle Productions. After producing her first Documentary short, Autism Through the Eyes of Siblings, Elaine remained deeply involved in the cause and created The Mansion Ride for Autism, now in its 10th year, and named as one of "The Country's TOP 35 Largest and Most Interesting Charity Rides" (Bicycling Magazine).

Pamela Moller Kareman (director) studied under Sanford Meisner at the The Neighborhood Playhouse. After graduating, she directed the comedy group, Cracked Tokens, starring Mary Steenburgen and Joanna Lipari. They performed throughout the city and spent two seasons as the resident company of the Manhattan Theater Club's cabaret. She later formed Acorn Productions ("They deserve a welcome!" New York Times ) with actors Brooke Palance and Michael Wilding and was Artistic Director for five years. During her tenure at The Schoolhouse Theater, she has had the good fortune to direct numerous wonderful plays by many of America's best playwrights. Off Broadway; Nora (TST and Test Pilot), The Crucible (TST and Mare Nostrum Elements) and SN Behrman's Biography ("you won't see a funnier show this season!" Terry Teachout, Wall Street Journal). Ms. Moller Kareman serves on the board of The Neighborhood Playhouse and Theater 808 and is a proud member of the professional theater director's union, SDC.

Photo Credit: Ron Marotta